Best Blooms to Plant in San Diego Spring Gardens

The best thing about gardening in Southern California is that you don’t need a lot of square footage, or even water, to grow a colorful, gorgeous garden you can enjoy year-round. There are a number of vibrant flowers you can plant right now in your springtime gardens to enjoy by summertime, and many of them come back year after year so you can enjoy them all over again. Best of all, they’re naturally beautiful and very low-maintenance. Read on to see our picks for some of the best blooms to plant in San Diego!

Best Flowers to Plant Now

• Often confused for petunias, calibrachoas of both the Blackberry Punch and Coralberry Punch varieties are stunning, two-toned blooms, often deep purple or burgundy with dark throats, that are easy to grow and stay in bloom all summer long and then some.

• Daylilies make a cheerful addition to anyone’s springtime gardens and are also easy to grow. Attracting few pests and growing in nearly any climate, they also come in a variety of colors, from bright yellows and oranges to deep purples and reds. Once established, they’re easy to care for—just a little water each week.

• Mecardonias, also known as GoldDust or Magic Carpet, will easily last you half the year in Southern California, thanks to their heat-tolerant, low-maintenance nature. These neon yellow flowers are small but tough, and you’ll be able to enjoy them early in the season. They work well in high-traffic areas in your garden like between pavers or along borders.

• Add a little joy to your garden with some bright, round marigolds. With varieties that grow as little as six inches to as much as six feet tall, you’re most likely to find these in bright orange or golden hues. They prefer full sun with occasional shade and germinate within just a few days. After that, they’re a great low-maintenance flower.

• A nice delicate, fragrant accent flower is the sweet alyssum flower. This self-sowing plant is hardy, coming back year after year to beautify your garden with its dainty petals.
• Looking to attract hummingbirds? Heatwave salvia is a favorite among the birds, bees, and butterflies thanks to its tall, nectar-rich blooms.

Not to Mention Veggies

Now is also a good time to plant veggies to eat in time for summer. Plant your favorite herbs, as well as leafy greens like spinach, chard, lettuce, and kale, and you’ll be able to harvest fresh herbs and veggies any time you want!

Check out our list of more healthy veggies, fruits, and herbs to plant in your springtime gardens.

Tune Up Your Garden

You’ve probably noticed your garden could use a little pepping up. Give your garden some much-needed maintenance and TLC, from feeding your plants to repotting and protecting them from pests, to revive it to its full glory.

Inspect your trees and plants—especially new growth—weekly for any signs of pests. Fertilize fruit trees, shrubs, perennials, and other older growth plants.

Looking for more gardening tips and ideas? Check out our other Scripps Affiliated Medical Groups articles.